Langerhans cell

Langerhans' cells are immature dendritic cells containing large granules called Birbeck granules. On infection of an area of skin, the local Langerhans' cells will take up and process microbial antigens before travelling to the T-cell areas in the cortex of the draining lymph node and maturing to become fully-functional antigen-presenting cells.

Generally, dendritic cells in tissue (such as Langerhans' cells) are active in the capture, uptake and processing of antigens. Once dendritic cells arrive in secondary lymphoid tissue however, they lose these properties while gaining the capacity to interact with naive T-cells.

In the rare disease Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH), an excess of these cells is produced, which can cause damage to skin, bone and other organs.

Langerhans' cells are derived from the cellular differentiation of monocytes with the marker "Gr-1" (also known as "Ly-6c/G"). The differentiation requires stimulation by colony stimulating factor-1 (PMID 16444257).

Langerhans cells are found in all mucosal tissue.[1] Szabo and Short suggest that langerans cells are targeted by HIV, and are likely to be the primary point of viral entry.[2] As the inner mucosa of the male foreskin is laden with langerhans cells, circumcision is recommended for their removal, and thus reduce the risk for HIV infection.

See also

• histiocytosis
• Foreskin
• Paul Langerhans

External links

• Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis at eMedicine
• Illustration
• Birbeck granules